Today Im doing part 4 of my Back to Basic's series and its all about highlighting and contouring.
for part 1: concealer Click here
part 2: foundation Click here
part 3: powder Click here
part 4: blush/ bronzer Click here

Why do we highlight and contour?
The objective is to create the illusion of having a oval shape face.

What do you use to highlight and contour?
To contour you will need a dark matte powder or cream you can also use a matte bronzer to shade the area
and to highlight you need a light colour cream or powder or a shimmer to catch the light and bring the area forward.
You can buy contouring sets like this one from sleek.

To know which area's you need to highlight and contour you need to find your face shape.
The ovalshape face (egg shape) is the perfect face shape. You do not need to highlight or contour.

Round face: shorter and wide with full cheeks and round chinHighlight: forehead, underneath the eyes and top of cheek bonesContour: temples, cheeks and jaw line to create the illusion of a oval

Square face: same width at forehead,cheeks and jaw.Highlight: center of forehead, underneath eyes and chin and apply blush on apples of cheeks.Contour: hairline at 2 corners and jaw line at 2 corners

Pear shaped: narrow at temples and wider at cheeks and jaw lineHighlight: forehead, underneath eyes and chinContour: jaw line and cheeks

Long face: high cheek bones and forehead and strong jaw linedon’t highlight or contour just simply brush a bit of bronzer across chin to shorten length and apply blush on apples of cheeks and work outwards this will widen your face.

To slim your nose:

Take a fluffy eye shadow brush and dip it into your contour colour and run the brush down the sides of your nose making sure you blend well then take your highlight shade and highlight the center of your nose.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Why do we use Blush?
Blush is used to brighten and add life to your face.

What shade would suit my skin tone?

ivory/beige skin: a soft pink works bestmature skin: a peach blush will look more natural and fresherolive skin: a blush with warm undertones works best such as cinnamon or copperEbony skin: use a blush with warm undertones like apricot

Gel - sheer glow, long lasting, looks natural, apply before powder, can use it with or without foundation.
Unfortunately I don't own a gel blush so i have no swatches :( but i know this gel blush from Smashbox is meant to be fantastic! I will be buy it soon and ill put swatches up then.

Liquid- liquid that stains the skin, needs to be blended quickly, waterproof, will last all day

Opia liquid blush from primark

How do I apply blush:
Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks blending out towards your ear

TIP: For a long lasting blush apply... a cream blush on the apples of cheeks blending towards your ear after you have applied your foundation then powder your face and apply your powder blush.
You can also us lipstick as a cream blush.

Why do we use Bronzer?
Bronzer is used to give a warm healthy glow to the skin

Is there different types of bronzer?
Powder- most popular, easy to control and blend, comes in pressed, loose, balls/beads

Cream- great on dry skin or if you don’t want to wear foundation

You can also us a liquid foundation 1 or 2 shades darker than your foundation as a bronzer

Tip: I would recommend using a matte bronzer, sometimes bronzer's with a shimmer can look unnatural and make any textural flaws look more obvious!!!!

How to apply bronzer:
Dust bronzing powder along outer edges of your face and cheekbones with a fluffy brush, start at the back of cheekbone and sweep it forward and up to the temples

If your using a cream dot the colour along cheek bone and blend

You can also apply bronzer all over your face to give you a natural tan rather than using a foundation that is to dark for you.

Back to Basic's part 5: Highlighting and contouring will be up tomorrow

Don't forget to check out my friends You Tube videos for more basic tips :)